Cookies & Cream No-Bake Chex Bars (Gluten-Free)

One of the things I miss about working in an office is treat day. Is there anything that makes 9-5 go faster than enjoying good food prepared by other people all day? It’s always the most trashy and delicious food too like creamy dips, caramel brownies, and crock pot little smokies.

I swear I gained 10 pounds at my first office jobs simply because my cube was approximately 10 feet away from the treat table and I passed it every time I got up. It was the opposite of Milton not getting any birthday cake. I had ALL THE BIRTHDAY CAKE. All the time, too. My office was obsessed with treat day and used any and every excuse to have one.

Iowa vs Iowa State game-day weekend? Treat day.

Susie’s having a baby? Treat day.

Bob got a hair cut? TREAT DAY!

If your office is treat day-happy too, I’ve got a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing recipe for you to take to the next one – Cookies & Cream No-Bake Chex Bars!

They’re cousins of plain ol’ Rice Krispie Treats but are so much better because they’re made with Vanilla Chex which taste like cake. CAKE! When combined with chopped chocolate sandwich cookies, it’s almost as if you’re biting into an oversized Oreo.

Even better? They’re gluten-free. If I still worked in an office I probably wouldn’t be able to eat 90% of the foods on the treat table (which wouldn’t be such a bad thing for my waistline!) but I mean, c’mon, that’s sad! Set these out with a gluten-free sign on the treat table and I promise it won’t go unnoticed.

Start by roughly chopping 20 Oreos or, if you need a gluten-free version like me, the GF chocolate sandwich cookie of your choosing (Oreos are NOT gluten-free.) I found these at the regular grocery store and have also heard Trader Joe’s makes a killer GF version of their Joe-Joe’s. The day I made these I’d already been to two different HyVees – one of them twice – so a trip to another grocery store just wasn’t happening.

#foodbloggerproblems

Chop 16 of the 20 cookies into bite-sized chunks – these will go into the bars – and the remaining 4 a little finer as they’ll be sprinkled on top and nobody wants a mouth roof cut from an oversized chopped cookie chunk.

Set the finely chopped cookies aside then add the roughly chopped cookies to a huge bowl with 1 box Vanilla Chex with 1 cup scooped out. Save the scoop for snacking and general merrymaking.

I can’t tell you what a Godsend these Vanilla Chex have been. They’re ridiculously scrumptious and make the best no-bake treat bars ever. Like I always say, eating gluten-free doesn’t mean taste-free!

Next, melt 1/4 cup butter in a large bowl then add 1 bag mini marshmallows, stir to coat, microwave for 1 minute and 20 seconds, and then stir until smooth.

Immediately pour the ooey-gooey melted marshmallows on top of the cookie and Vanilla Chex mixture (ignore your instinct to put your face under the drizzle,) then mix with a spatula until everything is well coated.

Scoop the mixture into a nonstick sprayed 9×13 baking dish then press into an even layer. I sprayed the bottom of a big Pyrex measuring cup and used that to press.

Hold on, WE’RE NOT DONE YET!

Melt 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second intervals until smooth, stirring between each interval, then drizzle over the bars.

Directions

Roughly chop 16 cookies then add to a very large bowl with the Chex and set aside. Chop remaining 4 cookies a little more fine then set aside.

Add butter to a microwave-safe bowl then microwave for 30 seconds or until melted. Add marshmallows then stir to coat and microwave for 1 minute and 20 seconds. Stir until smooth then immediately pour over Chex mixture and mix until evenly coated. Scoop into prepared baking dish then press into an even layer (I sprayed the bottom of large measuring cup with nonstick spray then used that to press.)

Add chocolate chips to a small microwave-safe bowl then microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over the top of the bars then sprinkle on remaining cookies. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

Treat day, birthday, heck, ANY day is a good day to make Cookies & Cream No-Bake Chex Bars!

34 Comments [+]

We’ve tried(and loved) your strawberry/blueberry vanilla chex bars and these look just as amazing! I love that your start with the vanilla chex; it’s my new favorite cereal… Thinking we may just have to make up a “treat day” here at home!

That cutting board is adorable! Such a thoughtful gift! This looks amazing and easy to make! I’m pretty good at avoiding treats at the office. It takes some willpower but I try to tell myself that I’ll enjoy a treat more if I’m not sitting at my desk!

These look delicious!!! I’m not GF, although I AM trying to cut back on sugar (thanks a lot, this will really help with that). ;) I think I’ll make these this weekend – I’ve been craving brownies but don’t want to turn the oven on since it’s so hot, and this look like an awesome alternative!

I’ve been reading your blog for months, but I’ve never commented before. I just wanted to say that you have basically replaced all the cookbooks and recipe websites in my kitchen. At LEAST 75% of the new recipes I’ve made in the last 6 months have been yours. When I’m looking for something to make for dinner, I don’t even bother with other resources, I just search for whatever ingredients I want to use + Iowa Girl Eats, and then I make whatever comes up. :) That is, unless I already have 3 recipes in mind that you’ve posted recently, which also happens frequently! So thank you for all the work you to do make this blog such a great resource.

I’ve actually made these with chocolate Chex and they were awesome! Kind of like Oreo meets Cocoa Krispies. :) I was also thinking Chocolate Chex would be great with freeze-dried raspberries mixed in then drizzled with melted semisweet chocolate on top!

Great recipe!! Made them today with a few substitutions – our 3yo had food allergies to dairy, egg and peanut. We used regular Oreos, Earth Balance buttery spread and Enjoy Life chocolate chips. Delish!!! Love having another safe and sweet treat for her to bring to parties and holidays.

Made these for a gluten-free friend coming over for dinner! We ALL loved them!!

I didn’t add the chocolate drizzle because I didn’t know the best way to melt the chocolate chips. I know that is a really simple thing but can you tell me how you do it? I have burned them in the past.. :(

Thanks for the great recipe!!
I will definitely be making these again!

Hi Kelsey! I microwave the chocolate chips in a glass bowl in 30 second increments, stirring between increments, until the chocolate is smooth and melted. Should do the trick without burning the chocolate!

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hi, i’m kristin!

My name is Kristin, and I'm an Iowa girl who loves to cook, eat, and travel! After being diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2013, I share delicious and approachable gluten-free recipes made with everyday, in-season ingredients. Visit my Recipe Index for inspiration!MORE ABOUT ME

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